The cautious nature of the country’s consumers continues to have an affect on the retail industry’s bottom line, according to a recent analysis by Washington, D.C.-based National Retail Federation.

Sales for the month of August 2013 were up 3.9 percent, compared to retail sales posted last August, NRF reports.

An increase, to be sure, but a “tepid” increase at best, NRF officials note.

“Slow growth continues to be the economic story five years after the financial crisis,” says Matthew Shay, president and CEO of NRF. “The economy, employment, wages, and retail sales continue to stagger along. Retailers and consumers are resilient but not overly optimistic about the broader economy.”

“Retail sales gains continue to be tepid,” adds NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz. “Retail sales and employment, while measurably positive, have been disappointing over the last few months, and have been difficult to reconcile with consumer confidence. The data suggests that consumers remain cautious with their pocketbooks and purchases.”

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